https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-606-An-Unexpected-Discovery-of-Chu-Liuxiang-s-Relic/12811299/
Chapter 659: Departure! Westward Journey!
Chapter 659: Departure! Westward Journey!
“Prince, aren’t you curious why the Prince didn’t tell me about this matter?” the Princess asked.
Jin Banhua waved his hand, “Men’s business, not telling women, isn’t that very normal?”
Princess: ???
“I understand your concern, Princess. You wish to share the burden with the Prince, not wanting him to bear it all alone.” Jin Banhua said with a knowing smile.
“Indeed,” the Princess nodded in agreement.
“So you can rest assured. This matter is on me. I will safely retrieve the Star of Bliss and help the Prince restore the kingdom.”
Jin Banhua chuckled, “When the time comes, if you want to stay in the desert, you can stay in the desert; if you want to go to the capital, you can go to the capital. Enjoy a comfortable and peaceful old age.”
The Princess struggled to maintain her composure, forcing a smile, “Prince, your intentions are appreciated, but the road between retrieving the Star of Bliss and restoring the kingdom is still long and arduous.”
Jin Banhua blinked, “From what I see, retrieving the Star of Bliss is basically the same as restoring the kingdom.”
“That’s because the Star of Bliss is linked to an ancient treasure of the Kucha Kingdom,” the Princess reminded, “This treasure cannot be used under normal circumstances. Only in times of national crisis can it be used to restore the kingdom. The location of the treasure is known only to the legitimate heir of the Kucha throne.”
“I guessed as much!” Jin Banhua said smugly, “Otherwise, why would the Prince use gold and silver of lesser value to exchange for it?”
“The Prince is a bit hasty, so his methods aren’t the most refined,” the Princess confirmed, “Moreover, if he wants to retrieve the treasure, he must rely on your help.”
“Exactly,” Jin Banhua laughed heartily, “My companions and I are all martial arts experts. Opening the treasure naturally requires our assistance.”
“So if the Prince tells you the secret of using the Star of Bliss to find the treasure, and you can pass it on to me, it would ease some of the Prince’s burden,” the Princess said weakly.
“Easy peasy! Leave it to me!” Jin Banhua reassured, “As long as the Prince tells me, it’s as good as if he told you!”
The Princess finally managed a slight smile, not really wanting to speak with Jin Banhua anymore. She withdrew her hand, “Prince, be extremely cautious. I entrust everything to you.”
Jin Banhua smacked his lips, then stood up, “Princess, rest assured. The one who will take the Star of Bliss is a woman named Shi Guanyin. Dealing with such a woman is a piece of cake for me!”
The Princess, who didn’t want to speak with Jin Banhua anymore, couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity, “I heard she is the most skilled martial artist in the Great Desert. How do you plan to deal with her?”
“Of course, with my handsome looks, unparalleled wealth, and heaven-defying martial arts!” Jin Banhua brandished his sword, “The Lady Guanyin of the Capital’s Jade Hall is most susceptible to this set of charms. I’m sure the Lady Guanyin of the Great Desert won’t be much different, right?”
The Princess’s face stiffened, her eyes flashing with cold light.
But she ultimately didn’t act, letting Jin Banhua leave the tent with a swagger.
The attendant who had been guiding them approached, “Master...”
The Princess waved her hand, “No rush. Wait until I know the secret of the Star of Bliss, then I will properly deal with him.”
...
Leaving the Princess’s tent, Jin Banhua saw Princess Pipa waiting for him.
"I have already prepared five thousand taels of gold, five hundred pearls, and fifty jade discs. We will set off early tomorrow morning," Princess Pipa announced.
"Are you going with us too?" Jin Banhua asked.
"Of course!" Princess Pipa said confidently, "You are all newcomers to the Great Desert. What if you lose your way without an experienced guide?"
"Are you an experienced guide in the Great Desert?" Jin Banhua asked.
"At least I am more skilled than you!" Princess Pipa said smugly.
As Princess Pipa finished speaking, Jin Banhua's ears twitched, and he turned his head slightly.
"What is it?" Princess Pipa asked.
"Nothing," Jin Banhua thought for a moment, suppressing his urge to go and watch the play. "How about we take a bath first?"
Princess Pipa was taken aback, "Why do you want to take a bath again today?"
"Of course, because we have a long journey tomorrow," Jin Banhua said. "Shouldn't we be fresh and clean before we set off?"
Princess Pipa lightly bit her lip, "I'll tell them to bring some silk veils..."
...
Chu Liuxiang and Ji Bingyan didn't return all day, but Hu Tiefua wasn't worried at all.
He didn't believe in that assassin who was supposedly ten times more skilled than Bixu Kong. Besides, Ji Bingyan was calm and wise, and Chu Liuxiang was highly skilled. Even if Shi Guanyin came in person, Hu Tiefua had confidence in them.
So that night, when the King of Kucha set up a farewell banquet, Hu Tiefua drank to his heart's content.
But Hu Tiefua, a master of wine, still woke up early the next morning, refreshed and radiant, leading the group.
The King of Kucha personally saw them off, "I entrust this mission to you, Noble Jin and Great Hero Hu. If you can retrieve the Star of Bliss, once I regain my kingdom, I will appoint Great Hero Hu as the Grand General of the kingdom!"
Hu Tiefua laughed heartily, "I have no interest in being your Grand General. Just prepare three carts of wine for me to bring back to the Central Plains!"
The King of Kucha also laughed, "If that is so, it will be a mere trifle."
The King of Kucha then turned to Jin Banhua, his eyes sparkling with unusual light, his smile warm and sincere, "Noble Jin, I entrust my daughter to you!"
After saying this, he thought for a moment and added, "If things really cannot be done, prioritize your own safety!"
Princess Pipa was quite moved, and Jin Banhua also felt that the King of Kucha was truly concerned for his daughter. But he couldn't bear to leave this wealthy young master who could bring benefits to his daughter.
Hu Tiefua laughed on the side.
He could see that Liao Gang and Ye Jin had some skills, and Jin Banhua, who had studied martial arts for ten years, must have some skills too. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to impress the King of Kucha and win Princess Pipa's heart.
But these people from the Western Regions were clearly amateurs in martial arts. Under the influence of their preconceptions, they couldn't tell the difference in skills between Jin Banhua and himself.
But Hu Tiefua naturally wouldn't compete with Jin Banhua. With himself present, he believed they could safely retrieve the Star of Bliss.
So he didn't say anything, just mounted his horse, riding at the front, indicating his position in the group.
Although he wouldn't expose Jin Banhua, he also wouldn't hand over the leadership to him.
"Let's go!"
Three horses and eight camels, with Jin Banhua and the others leading three Kucha warriors as guides, set off on their fifty-li westward journey to retrieve the Star of Bliss.
(End of Chapter)
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